THE JESUITS MORALS . COLLECTED By a DOCTOR of the COLLEDGE OF Sorbon in Paris . WHO HATH Faithfully extracted them out of the Jesuits own Books , which are printed by the permission and approbation of the Superiours of their Society .

Written in French , and exactly Translated into English .

LONDON , Printed for John Starkey , at the Miter in Fleet-street , near Temple-Bar , MDCLXX .

I Have perused a Book , Entituled The Jesuits Morals , Translated into English , and compared divers of the Quotations therein mentioned with the Original Authors , as they are in Sion-College-Library , London : and do find them faithfully and exactly recited . Viz. Laymannus . Lessius . Filliutius . Sanchez . Azorius , cum aliis .

This so sage and so Christian conduct helped very much to augment the inclination which he had unto piety ; so that he had no sooner finished his course in Philosophy than he proceeded of himself to the study of Divinity , to which he applyed himself with so great success , that being received into the Colledge and Society of Sorbonne , he performed all his acts with universal applause , and thereupon received there the Doctors Cap.

The only thing he had to combate with in this his laudable enterprise , was the passionate affection which he had for the Mathematicks . For as this Science is the most assured of all humane Sciences , and almost the only one in which may be found any certainty capable to satisfie a Spirit which loves the truth ; the love which he had even to this truth it self , wrought in him so violent an inclination to this Science , that he could not withhold himself from applying and busying his thoughts therein for the inventing some or other new machine . But at length the Holy Spirit , which did conduct his Studies , made him overcome in a little time the propension he had to these innocent inquiries and curiosities , and he thought that it was not sufficient for a Divine to despise the divertisements of the world , but that he ought also to deprive himself of those of his mind , and he did only search after the truth where it was to be found , that is to say , in the Holy Scripture and in the Books of the holy Fathers . So that we may well say of him what S. Gregory Nazianzene said in commendations of his Brother Caesarius , who had greatly loved Astrology and the Mathematicks , that he had the ingenuity to draw out of these sorts of Sciences all that was profitable therein , learning thence to admire the invisible greatnesses of God , which were resplendent in his works , and knew to defend himself from that which was pernicious in them , which is the adherence they have , who apply themselves thereunto , to their conjectures and to those truths which they pretend to discover therein .

This generous disengaging himself from all other things , advantaged him not a little in the progress which he made in Ecclesiastical knowledge , and in that part of Divinity which they call Scholastick , which conducts Reason by the light of Faith and Tradition . This his progress appeared more especially in the troubles which agitated the Faculty of Divinity of Paris in the year 1656. for he there defended the truth with so great moderation , that he did not render it odious , but on the contrary he did astonish and surprize his enemies .

The zeal he had for it was ardent , but this ardour was tempered by his prudence : and his knowledge was not less modest than his sweetness was couragious , that there might be seen equally lightning in his discourse , the regard which he had not to disoblige any person , and the inflexible firmity which God had given him for the defence of his truth .

The wounds which that renowned Body received then in its Discipline , entred very deep into his heart ; and the grief which he received therefrom , increased by the consideration of the mischiefs which the Church was threatned with , and which it resents unto this day , began to alter his health , and to indispose him towards that sickness whereof he dyed .

But nothing touched him more to the quick than the corruption which the Jesuits had introduced into the Morality of the Church . He was a mortal enemy to their compliances , and he could not bear with their presumption which bent them to consult no other in their Divinity than their own proper light . He declared against their loosness in all the Ecclesiastick Conferences whereunto he was invited , and he gave himself up particularly in the Sermons and Instructions which he made in the Churches , to fortifie the Faithful against their pernicious Maxims .

His Discourses made so much deeper impression upon their Spirits , because they were sustained by his own examples , and the truths of Christianity were no less visible in his manners , than they were intelligible in his words . He handled all sorts of matters with such exactness and solidity , as if he had employed all his life only in study of some one of them alone ; and it might be perceived that he studied in all his Discourses only to clear the understanding , to touch hearts , and heal diseases ; and not to puzzle the mind , please the ears , and flatter the diseased .

But the love which he had for the purity of Christian Morals was too great for to suffer him to rest so contented . He believed that to heal well the mischiefs which the Jesuits had done the Church , it was necessary to have a perfect knowledge thereof , and to imitate Physitians who addict themselves to know the bottom of diseases before they apply themselves to any remedy . He gave himself for this cause to read the Books of these Fathers , and to extract out of them the principal Errours , of which he hath composed this Book which we now publish , but at length he could not but sink under so painful and afflicting a labour . His patience found it self exhausted . The grief he had to see the Morality of Jesus Christ so horribly disfigured , seized his heart , and cast him into such a languor as dryed him up by little and little , and ravished him away from the Church , after he had received with great resentments of Piety and Religion all the Sacraments at the hands of his upper Pastor .

I will not take in hand to give here an Idea of the design which this excellent Man hath had in this Work , of the order which he hath observed , of the reasons which he hath had to undertake it , and of those in particular which have engaged him to cope with the Doctrine of the Jesuits , because he hath himself given satisfaction in all these points in his Preface .

I shall only answer here to those who have wished that he had not discovered the Errours which are represented in this Work , without refuting them by the true Principles of Christian Morality , which are Scripture and Tradition . They avow that this had been advantagious to the Church ; and it was the very design of the Author . But this hinders not but that his labour , although separated from the more large Refutation , may have also its utility . For they who are acquainted with the Affairs of the Church , understand that it is no new thing simply to set down the Errours which the Corrupters of Faith and Manners have attempted to introduce into the Church , without undertaking to combate them by long Reasoning , and that S. Epiphanius ( as also S. Austin observed ) Historics narratione commemorans omnia , nulla disputatione adversus falsitatem pro veritate decertans , S. August . de Hares . hath only represented by way of History the pernicious Opinions of the greater part of Hereticks , without taking in hand to refute them in particular ; rehearsing all things with an Historical Narration , but not contending for the truth against falshood by any disputation .

I know well that there is cause to believe , by that which S. Austin adds presently after , that he had only an Abridgment of the Books of S. Epiphanius . But I know also , that if this Saint had seen them all entire , he would still have discoursed after the same manner , and that this Judgment may very justly be passed on them ; for that of eighty different Sects , of which Epiphanius hath undertaken to report the Errours , he only tracks the foot , as I may say , of them one by one , and refutes in the manner of a Divine only four or five , contenting himself in a few words , and as it were on his way passing by them , to shew the absurdity of the Conceits of those Hereticks , and how far they were distanced from the truth . See how he interprets himself in his Preface concerning the manner in which he had designed to handle these things : In which truly this one thing we shall perform , that we shall oppose against them as much as in us lies , in a few words , as it were an Antidote , whereby we may expel their poysons , and by Gods help may free any one who either wilfully or unawares happens to fall into these Heretical opinions , as it were into the poyson of some Serpents . In quo quidem hoc unum praest●bimus , ut adversus illa quitquid in nobis situm erit paucis uno atque altero verbo velut antidotum apponamus , quo & illorum venens propulsemus , & secundum Deum quemlibet qui vel sponte vel invitus in haeretica illa dogmata velut serpentum virus inciderit , si quidem velit ipse , liberare possimus .

This is the same thing which the Author of this Book of Morals , which is now made publick , hath given us to see therein with a marvellous address and vivacity of Spirit . For though he undertake not to refute these Errours of the Jesuits , but only to discover them , he does notwithstanding discover them without making their excesses to appear most plainly , and the opposition also which they have to the truth and sound doctrine . So that according to the progress by which we advance in reading this Book , we find our selves insensibly convinced of the falsities of all the Maxims which are therein related ; and our minds filled with the opposite truths ; and our hearts piously animated against these so horrible corruptions , and edified by the violence which we observe this Author hath done upon himself for to moderate his zeal , and to keep himself back from refuting opinions so contrary to the common sense of the Faith . For unto such evils deep sighs and groans are more agreeable than long discourses . Cum talibu● malis magis prolixi gemitus & fletus quam prolixi libri debeantur . S. Aug. Epist. 122.

Indeed the arguings of the Jesuits which he relates , and whereof they make use to authorize their monstrous opinions , are so evidently contrary to the Principles and Maxims of the Gospel , and to the light of Nature ; the abuse to which they put the words of Scripture and the Fathers , is so visible and so gross , and there needs so little discerning to see that they take them in a sense contrary to what they do indeed contain , that these Authors destroy themselves , and are refuted themselves by themselves , and it suffices simply to report their Doctrine , to make appear that it overturns the Foundations of Religion , and that it is not only opposite to the Wisdom of the Cross and Christian Philosophy , but also to Reason and the Philosophy of the Heathens .

It is true that this corruption is not equally evident in all their Maxims , and that to surprize more easily those who have some fear of God , they do propose these unto them with some kind of temperament , covering them with some specious pretences , which serve for reasons to engage them to follow them without scruple . But the Author of these Morals hath so dextrously unfolded all these Artifices , and all these studied subtilties , and hath so neatly discovered their malignity , that there is no fear that those who read them will suffer themselves to be deceived by them , nor that they can have any confidence in the people , whom he hath made clearly to appear to have a priviledge to speak every thing that they please , and not to contradict themselves at all in speaking things altogether contrary , according to the diversity of places , times , and the interest of their Society ; who give themselves the liberty and the right , not only of two contrary opinions , to chuse that which is most for their commodity , but even to follow both the two according to divers occasions , and the different relishes of those who consult with them ; finally , who content not themselves only to refute the holy Fathers , the Popes , and the Councils , when they are not for their convenience , but who also take the confidence to make them speak what they please , altogether contrary to what they do speak .

It is true also , that this Author having undertaken to make us see the general corruption which the Jesuits have spread all over the Morals , could not avoid to speak of those matters , which S. Paul saith ought not to be proceeded in so far as to be named by Christians ; and that he is forced to shew how they would make Marriage , which is the Image of all pure and all holy Union of Jesus Christ with the Church , and which ought to be handled with all honour , to give right to shameful filthinesses , which even the Pagan Philosophers themselves have condemned , according to these excellent words of an ancient Author : Adulter estuxoris amator acrior . He is an Adulterer who is too eager a Lover of his Wife .

Notwithstanding he hath been careful not to transcribe those ordures , with which Sanchez hath filled whole Volumes , among which some have been so scandalous , that they have been left out in some Editions , which yet have been no hinderance to Tambourin and Amadeus to renew them ; where he speaks of these excesses and other such like , it is with such temperance , that discharging the Reader of a good part of the confusion which he might have received thereby , he doth not forbear at all to instruct him sufficiently , and make him conceive all that horrour wherein he ought to have these miserable Writers , who seem principally to be composed to satiate their imagination with most enormous unheard of crimes .

Finally , That which doth yet more justifie the design of the Author of these Morals , and the manner wherein he handles these things , is that now of a long time all these excesses which are herein rehearsed , have been made publick by the Jesuits themselves , who have caused them to be printed and sold , and who have delivered them into the hands of an infinite of Religious persons and Directors of others not very clear sighted , who think that they cannot better learn the Maxims of Christian Morality than in reading the most famous Authors of so celebrated a Society . So that it will be of very great importance to make the corruptions of these Authors so known , that no man may hereafter be mistaken in them . And this cannot be better executed than by proposing those very same Maxims as impious and detestable , which the Jesuits have propounded in their Books as good and safe ; this alone being sufficient to work effects altogether contrary in mens spirits , as may be seen in the Example of Escobar , who having been imprinted thirty nine times , as a very good Book , hath been now imprinted the fortieth time , as one of the most mischievous Books in the whole World ; which hath so wrought , that whereas the first thirty nine Editions were very prejudicial to the Church , this fortieth hath been very beneficial unto it .

And the same we believe may happen in the publication of these Morals , which the alone zeal and love of the purity of the Morality of Jesus Christ hath induced us to make publick . It is hoped that this Publication will prevail to remove the scandal which the Jesuits have caused from the Church , to which they gave place to the Hereticks to attribute those Opinions for which it hath the greatest horrour ; and that these unhappy persons who are separated from its communion , shall not impute them unto it any more , after so publick a disavowing of these Maxims altogether abominable as they are ; not giving them yet any advantage above the Jesuits themselves , because it is not hard to make appear that the Principles of their Morality are no less corrupted nor pernicious than those of these Fathers .

It is hoped that this Publication will stir up the Pastors of the Church to renew the zeal which they have already made appear against the Authors of so many corruptions ; that they will interdict in their Diocesses the reading of these Books ; that they will take the ways which the Sacred Canons have prescribed them , ( 2 Tim. 2.17 . ) to repress so pernicious Novelties , and that they will hinder them that they spread not over mens spirits , as Gangrenes which waste and corrupt by little and little that which was sound ; and that they will fear , lest while they dissemble these excesses , and pass by those who are their Authors , they make themselves culpable of the loss of a great number of Souls , which these blind Guides seduce and train along with them into the pit .

We despair not even of the Jesuits themselves , that they also may draw from thence the advantage which this Author hath earnestly desired to procure them . For although it seems by their conduct , which they have hitherto held herein , that they are resolved to persevere in maintaining these damnable Maxims , and to despise the wholesom advertisements which the whole Church hath given them , to abandon them ; yet notwithstanding it may be said , that if they have used them in this sort , it hath been perhaps , because they were not yet sufficiently convinced of the justice of the reproaches which have been cast on them , and that some secret interest hath hindred them from perceiving them in the Writings of those whom they looked upon as their Adversaries . But now that a person whom they cannot suspect , and who hath never been engaged against them , hath presented unto them so distinctly the concatenation of the Maxims and Conclusions which their Authors have taught , it will be very hard for them not to be surprized therein , and not to be powerfully struck by so many detestable Opinions . Who knows but God , hearing the prayers , which have now for a long time been ordained by the whole Clergy of France , and which have been made publickly in some particular Diocesses , to beg for them , that he would open their eyes , may touch them and bring them on highly to disowne the Authors of so many abominations , and to make it appear by their condemning them themselves as publick Plagues and declared Enemies of all Truth and Justice , that the Crimes with which they have been reproached belong only to some private men , and not to the whole Society .

The approbation of the Doctors hath not been sought after for the Publication of this Book . For besides that there was no apparent need to expose the Approbators to the indignation of a Society , who hold it for a Maxime , that they may with a safe conscience kill them who pretend to hurt them in their reputations , it was believed that this precaution would not be necessary on this occasion . Indeed the Author producing nothing of his own in this Book , and having prescribed unto himself only therein to represent faithfully those Maxims alone of the Jesuits Morals which are notoriously wicked , and which are the very same against which all the Parochial Rectors of the most considerable Towns of the Realm have been stirred up ; so that the Pope , the Bishops , the Sorbonne , and the other Catholick Faculties have condemned by their Censures the Apology of the Casuists ; and that the Faculty of Divinity in Paris have now very lately censured in the Books of Vernant and Amadeus , we believe all these Censures to be as so many Approbations of this Book , and that for that cause the Pope , the Bishops , the Sorbonne , and the other Faculties , and the Parochial Rectors of the principal Towns of France may pass for its Approbators , or at least of the Doctrine contained therein . For as to the knowing whether the Author hath been a faithful Relator of the Propositions of the Authors whom he cites every one in particular , may well be allowed to judge thereof , because indeed better Judges of this sort of differences than the eyes of those who shall have any scruple in this point , cannot be had .

But if the Jesuits and some of the Partisans of their Society complain of this Author , because he hath so exactly represented their Extravagances , there is cause to hope that all other faithful people will be satisfied therewith , because that one may say in truth that he gives by his Book unto every one that which belongs unto him , and which the Casuists of the Society have used their utmost force to ravish from them . He gives unto God the love , the acknowledgment , and the worship which belongs unto him ; to the Church the belief and submission of the Faithful ; to worldly Powers their honour and the fidelity of their Subjects , safety to their Estates ; to Fathers and Mothers the obedience and respect of their Children ; to Children the love and tenderness of their Fathers and Mothers ; Conjugal fidelity to Husbands and Wives ; to Masters the fidelity of their Servants ; to Servants kindness of their Masters ; to the Ecclesiasticks Piety and Religion ; equity and integrity to Judges ; true honour unto the Nobility ; fair dealing unto Merchants . Finally , he establishes in the World all those Vertues which the Jesuits seem resolved to banish from thence , that they might entertain and cause to reign there all the disorders which the malice of men or the Devil himself was capable to invent .